What Is a Blue Blooded American?

A blue blood is an aristocrat. Blue bloods come from privileged, noble families that are wealthy and powerful. The word blood has long referred to family ties: people you are related to share the same blood. ... In America, families like the Kennedys and Bushes qualify as blue bloods.

What does blue blood mean?

1 \ ˈblü-​ˈbləd \ : membership in a noble or socially prominent family. 2 \ -​ˌbləd \ : a member of a noble or socially prominent family.

Why are Royals called bluebloods?

The term blue blood came to be associated with the aristocracy simply because it was not uncommon in earlier times for European nobility to have skin that appeared to have a blue cast. The bluish (or sometimes greenish) discoloration of their skin was often caused by a condition known as Argyria.